Suvi’s POV“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I say. “It’s just that, my phone is dead. And I wanted to ask Sarah to come and check on Myla again. I came to find you to see if you could call her for me?”I feel awkward, like I’ve just interrupted something very important. Brooke’s giving me the side-eye, arms folded across her chest defensively.I look at them both, standing together. Josh is so handsome. And Brooke is so elegant. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they belong together. They honestly look like the perfect couple. They’re the same age, for starters, which is a lot more than I can say for me and Josh. And they both have that ‘polished, poised look’ that comes from money.My heart lurches. I feel a sadness wash over me.Yup. They look like they belong together.I feel frumpy next to Brooke. Inadequate. Like I’m not good enough.I don’t want either of them to see that I’m sad, though, so I plaster a bright smile on my face.“Can you give her a call for me?” I ask Josh. “Sarah?”“Of
Suvi’s POVI ran away from my ex-husband Adam, two years ago, so I'm used to raising my daughter Myla alone. It was a dark time, being with him. Even though he was the Beta of the Blackthorn Pack, I got no respect as his wife. He pushed me to a breaking point, physically and mentally. One day, he beat me so bad I couldn’t open my left eye for a week. That was when I knew I had to leave. I couldn’t stay. If I did…well…it was only a matter of time before he beat me to death.Leaving was tough, REALLY. I was pregnant, terrified, broke, and I had nowhere to go. The Moon Goddess must have been looking out for me though because I found a kind pack. The Clover Pack. They took me in. Welcomed me with open arms. Gave me a place to stay, food, support. It was a miracle. I FINALLY had somewhere safe to live! They were so kind, so caring, so warm. All the things I wasn’t used to…It’s been two years now. I’ve made a life for myself with the Clover Pack. I used to be terrified that he’d find me
Suvi’s POVThe man glares at Ricky. He’s stronger than Ricky, and taller. Ricky’s no match for him, and Ricky knows it, too. So he gets up from the ground and dusts himself off. "Whatever, man," Ricky says, rolling his eyes. “Come on guys. This slut isn’t worth it.” They leave, following Ricky back into the forest."Thank you," I breathe.“My pleasure,” he smiles. “I saw them grab you back there at the market. It looks like you needed some help. I have no patience for assholes like those guys. Where were they taking you, anyway?”“It doesn’t matter,” I reply. He’s younger than me, maybe mid-twenties? He has an essence about him though. He’s mature for his age, I can tell. He smiles at me again, and his green eyes light up. Something inside me stirs. He’s actually really handsome. A bit too young for me, but handsome none-the-less.He reminds me of the basketball players I used to know from the university campus. Energetic, charismatic, fit. I can't help but think that if I were stil
Suvi’s POV“I literally just met this guy!” I tell Lucinda. She chuckles.“Yeah right,” she says dismissively, rolling her eyes. “As if. Nice joke, Suvi!”His face is plastered on the TV screen, clear as day. It’s Josh, all right.“No, I’m serious! I did. Pinky swear.”Lucinda plants her hands on her hips and cocks her head to the side. “Get real. Are you trying to tell me you just happened to run into a famous race car driver here? Here, in the slums? Everyone here is dirt poor. Besides, Josh is the Alpha’s son. I’m sure he lives in the pack house, which is miles away from here.”“I didn’t meet him here,” I explain. “I met him at the market. Well, in the forest, actually. You see, I…uh…ran into some of Adam’s friends. From Blackthorn?” Lucinda’s expression turns serious.“Go on,” she says, narrowing her eyes. She hates Adam almost as much as I do. The mere mention of his name is taboo in our house.“They tried to kidnap me. Adam put a bounty on my head. So they dragged me into the fo
Suvi’s POV“I’ve already told you, Miss Merdock. The hotel is fully booked. We simply don’t have a spare room for your poodle.” I plaster a smile on my face. This is the third time Miss Merdock has been to the front desk in the past twenty minutes. As a front desk worker at the Green Tree Hotel, I’m used to difficult guests. But Miss Merdock is a whole new level of difficult!“Surely you can do something.” She rolls her eyes. Her poodle, Mr. Flufferoos is under her arm like a football. “Or should I take this to the manager?”It’s a threat. Whenever they mention the manager, it’s to bully me into getting what they want. I scan the computer screen. The only room left is the penthouse suite. She clicks her nails on the counter. “I’m waiting,” she says.“As a matter of fact, I do have a room for Mr. Flufferoos,” I sigh. I can’t believe I’m giving our best room to a poodle. I hand her the key. As soon as she’s out of sight, I put my head in my hands.It’s been an emotionally draining day. I
Josh’s POV“I don’t NEED a fiancé!” I try to keep my voice down, my emotions under control. But my father is interfering in my life! Again! This isn’t the first time we’d had this talk.And I have a sinking feeling it wasn’t going to be the last. My father has been pressuring me for a while now to get engaged. I clench my fists, trying to push back my anger.“Be reasonable, Josh,” he says in a steady, calm tone. “You can’t succeed me without a mate.”“You don’t think I know that?” I snap at him. He reminds me almost every day! “But why are you forcing Brooke on me? Let me choose my own mate!”“Brooke is the mate Luna Crestina has chosen for you,” he calmly states. My eyes flick to Luna Crestina. She’s standing calmly in the corner, watching us argue.I take a deep breath and run my hands through my hair. “Luna Crestina, I thank you. I really do. For your ‘kindness’.” I try to cover the sarcasm in my voice but it leaks out. “But I really don’t need your help with this.”“Brooke is a ver
Suvi’s POVJosh is standing outside my door. What the? I sigh. I just had a long day at work and just want to unwind with Myla.He’s called me a few times since our dinner, but I haven’t picked up. What’s the point? He has a fiancé! I have a nice, peaceful life with Myla and Lucinda. I want to keep it that way.“You haven’t returned my calls,” he says as I approach. I fumble for my keys in my purse. I don’t want to talk to him. He should have told me about his fiancé. “I was worried,” he continues.Damn, he’s cute. Dark denim jeans. Black leather jacket. Shining green eyes. And his tousled brown hair falling over his forehead.‘No, Suvi,’ I scold myself. He wasn’t honest with you. He’s getting married!“No need to be worried,” I say dismissively. “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”Except that I’m not. I really enjoyed our dinner together. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to think that maybe…just maybe…“Can we talk?” he asks. He’s standing between me and the door. Not in an agg
Suvi’s POV“Suvi?” Josh says into the mike, still looking at me. “Will you come on down here?”“Holy crap,” Lucinda says under her breath.“Momma?” Myla asks.I’m frozen to the spot. Everyone in the booth is looking at me. Did he just say…his mate? And MARRY?“Go on,” Lucinda says, practically shoving me out of the booth. “I’ll take care of Myla. This is so friggin’ exciting! You have to go!”I leave the booth and walk down the stands, in a complete daze. The cameras find me and my face is plastered all over the big screens.Me. Suvi. I don’t…I don’t understand.He waves me over. I walk towards the podium. I’m pretty sure my heart is going to pound right out of my chest. I stand beside him, nervous. All these people…looking at me.Is this really happening? He takes my hand and gives it a big squeeze.Warmth floods through me. His presence is calming. Secure. For a moment, I almost forget that I’m standing in front of hundreds of people. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet my mate!”His